Workshops

Foraging - Wild food, Wild Medicine and Wild Stories

With Tom Radford

A walk and a talk around the area finding wild plants and telling their stories.

Foraging is my happy place. I grew up in the New Forest, and there my love of nature and all things wild was born. Years of wandering those woods, climbing her trees and generally getting cut, bruised, muddy and soaking wet defines my childhood. When I was 11 years old I was given a copy of The SAS Survival Handbook by Lofty Wiseman, and that was my bible as a kid. I always had a deep love of the countryside and nature for my whole life but never so much as when circumstances took me to Asia and whilst that was a great adventure, I missed my home and used to watch shows like River Cottage and old Keith Floyd episodes to make me feel better. Returning to the UK in 2019 after six very homesick years in Singapore I had become a freelance video content director with an interest in making films. I vowed to get back to nature and make some films about my passion. Somehow this escalated into @EatTheCountry on social media which (and I still don’t really understand why) currently has around 340k followers.

Qigong

WITH Alexander Buer

Alexander is a movement guide and embodiment facilitator with a deep love for Qigong as a doorway into presence, vitality, and emotional alchemy. He hold a grounded, playful space that weaves traditional forms with intuitive exploration. Their sessions invite participants to meet themselves more fully through breath, subtle movement, and embodied energy awareness.

Whether you're new to Qigong or a longtime practitioner, expect to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with the moving intelligence of your own body.

Qigong for all leavel and beginer are welcome.

Interactive African drumming - Bringing Africa to you

WITH Abass Dodoo

London-based Ghanaian musician and master drummer Abass Dodoo has built an impressive international reputation, particularly through his 12-year collaboration with the legendary Ginger Baker in the ‘Ginger Baker Jazz Confusion’. Born in Nsawam, southern Ghana, into a renowned family of drummers, dancers, and healers, Abass was immersed in the rhythms of his heritage from an early age. Taught by his grandmother and mentored by his uncle, the celebrated master drummer and anthropologist Mustapha Tettey Addy, Abass grew up grounded in the deep traditions of Ghanaian cultural expression.

Drawing on this foundation, Abass has taken Ghanaian music and dance to the global stage, turning performances into shared, immersive experiences. Through workshops across Europe—including at festivals like WOMAD—he invites participants of all backgrounds to engage with the art form, transforming audiences into performers. Whether in schools, corporate team-building sessions, or major festivals, Abass fosters creativity, unity, and cultural appreciation, keeping the communal spirit of Ghanaian tradition alive.

Interactive drumming dancing and storytelling followed by Q&A

Walking your timeline to cultivate your community of self

with Joanne Sumner

Joanne Sumner is a human potential coach, shamanic practitioner, and founder of Joanne Sumner Wellbeing, where she supports individuals to live with greater clarity, creativity and courage. Her work blends ancient wisdom with modern tools—drawing on yoga, meditation, Reiki, flower essence therapy, and shamanic traditions—to help people reconnect with their inner guidance and live purposeful lives. She is also founded the Winchester chapter of The Athena Network, a heart-centred network championing collaboration over competition, and helping women grow sustainable businesses that honour their values and vitality. Joanne believes story is medicine—both personal and collective—and sees her work as helping people reclaim the lost or hidden stories of their soul. Whether guiding clients through life transitions, mentoring entrepreneurs, or leading seasonal retreats, Jo holds a grounded, compassionate space for transformation and healing.

Straw Breath and complete Breath

WITH Sonia Sung

Reconnect with your body’s wisdom, reclaim your pleasure, and awaken your power. Sonia is a dedicated guide in Tantra, breathwork, and Qi Gong, offering deeply embodied spaces for transformation. With roots in traditional Chinese culture and over a decade of spiritual practice in the UK and beyond, she blends Taoist and Tantric traditions to create experiences that are soulful, empowering, and real. Her work invites you to soften, feel, and open—to life, love, and yourself. Whether you’re navigating change, seeking deeper intimacy, or simply curious, Sonia offers a grounded, heart-led path home to your truth.

WRITING TO REVEAL

with Marrion Goldstraw

‘Writing to Reveal’ is a transformative writing practise for individuals seeking self-discovery.  It empowers you to explore who you are from new perspectives, uncovering profound insights that offer a fresh lens on life.  

In the ‘Writing to Reveal’ Workshop,  at The Oxford Storytelling Festival, we will be working with a story/event, from your life, chosen by you.  This could be a story  that you have told yourself the same version of for years or even decades.  We will aim to reveal any little-known or under-acknowledged parts of yourself within this story/event.  This kind of insight can bring greater awareness and depth which, in turn, can increase agency and gravitas.  

No writing skills are needed as writing is the gateway to insights.  

Cuddle Workshop - connection for all!

WITH Anna Shekory

For over 15 years, Anna has been the heart and soul behind the UK's longest running cuddle events. As a pioneer in platonic nurturing touch therapy, she's helped countless people rediscover the joy of human connection, one hug at a time.

This workshop will give you the opportunity to gently connect with yourself and others through guided exercises, including the all important boundaries and consent work that makes our workshops safe and fun for all.

Heart Song

With Assamia zoe bonner

Assamiya (she/her) is a trauma-informed Song Leader based in South East London and Creatress of Heart Song Collective CIC. She is a verified member of the Proud Wellness Practitioners Directory and has a background as an Opera Singer and Medical Scientist.